Burnley Football Club has clinched promotion back to the Premier League for the 2025/26 season, securing their top-flight return with a hard-fought 2-1 win against promotion rivals Sheffield United on Easter Monday. The victory, powered by two goals from captain Josh Brownhill, not only confirmed Burnleyâs immediate return to the Premier League but also ensured Leeds Unitedâs promotion, as the result eliminated Sheffield Unitedâs chances of overtaking the top two in the EFL Championship.
The match at Turf Moor was a tense affair, billed as a de facto playoff for automatic promotion. Burnley, under the stewardship of manager Scott Parker, took the lead in the first half through Brownhillâs clinical strike. Sheffield United responded swiftly, with Thomas Cannon equalizing to keep their hopes alive. However, Brownhill restored Burnleyâs lead just before halftime, converting a penalty to send the home crowd into raptures. Parkerâs side, renowned for their defensive solidity, held firm in the second half, repelling Sheffield Unitedâs attacks to seal the victory and spark wild celebrations.
Burnleyâs promotion marks a remarkable turnaround after their relegation from the Premier League last season. Parker, who replaced Vincent Kompany following the latterâs move to Bayern Munich, has overseen an unbeaten run of 31 regular-season Championship games, with the Clarets conceding a league-low 15 goals and keeping 29 clean sheets. The teamâs defensive resilience, coupled with a potent counter-attacking style, has silenced critics who earlier in the season labeled their approach âboring.â Brownhill, the match-winner, addressed the criticism post-match, saying, âWeâve had so much stick, people saying weâre boring. Weâve bored our way to the Premier League.â
The victory was particularly sweet for Burnleyâs players, many of whom, like young talent Luca Koleosho, will experience Premier League football for the first time. Koleosho, an Italy Under-21 international, was instrumental in Burnleyâs campaign and is set to shine in the top flight. Former NFL star J.J. Watt, a minority owner of the club alongside his wife Kealia, joined the celebrations, posting on social media: âWE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!!!!!! Come On Burnley!!!!!â
Burnleyâs promotion also has implications for the Championship title race. With two games remaining, the Clarets are level on 94 points with Leeds United, who thrashed Stoke City 6-0 earlier in the day, but trail on goal difference. The two sides will now battle for the Championship crown, with Burnley facing Queens Park Rangers away and Millwall at home, while Leeds take on Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle.
Sheffield United, despite the defeat, are assured a spot in the Championship playoffs alongside Sunderland and two other teams yet to be determined. The playoff final, scheduled for May 24 at Wembley Stadium, will decide the third team to join Burnley and Leeds in the Premier League.
Burnleyâs promotion is a testament to Parkerâs tactical acumen and the squadâs relentless mentality. âThe way he has rebuilt the team in such rapid fashion has been so impressive,â said Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, praising Parkerâs work. The Clarets will be formally confirmed as a Premier League club at the leagueâs Annual General Meeting this summer, with their fixtures for the 2025/26 season, starting August 16, to be released on June 18.